Texas twins prepare for big night at DNC

Updated 12:15 am, Monday, September 3, 2012

San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, left, and his brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, check out the stage prior to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, left, and his brother, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, who is running for U.S. Congress, check out the stage prior to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Photo: David Paul Morris

Texas twins prepare for big night at DNC

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In a preview of his speech to the Democratic National Convention, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said Sunday that he would tout the need for investment in future generations to maintain the country's economic strength.

Castro, tapped by President Barack Obama to deliver the keynote address, said he would "talk about what is important for tomorrow" and draw comparisons in policies championed by Obama and those of his Republican rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Romney pledged last week to create 12 million jobs to boost the economy.

Castro said he would accentuate the need to invest in future generations, not just "the wealthy few."

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"I'm going to be talking to the American people as a whole, talking about some of the more important issues. ... in this election cycle," Castro told reporters at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Stay the course

Castro will speak to the 46th Democratic National Convention on Tuesday.

He said he would lay out the need to stay with the president's policies "so we can maintain our status as the land of opportunity in the world."

The comments were made after a meeting by the 2012 Democratic Credential Committee, which adopted rules to ensure diversity in the selection of delegates at the convention.

Castro served as co-chairman of the committee, which passed the largely symbolic rules that are scheduled for unanimous adoption by the full convention Tuesday.

Making history

After the committee meeting, Bishop Vashti McKenzie of Maryland, who serves as co-chairwoman, led the meeting in a standing ovation for Castro and his selection as keynote speaker.

"If my speech on Tuesday is this easy, I'll be home free," Castro said.

Castro will make history as the first Latino and the first mayor of San Antonio to deliver a keynote address at a Democratic National Convention.

Republicans tapped Katherine Ortega of California, who was U.S. treasurer under President Ronald Reagan, to deliver the keynote speech at the GOP national convention in 1984.

Castro, 37, will be introduced by his identical twin, state Rep. Joaquín Castro, who is seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio.

Mayor Castro is considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and his selection by Obama is considered a nod to the fast-growing Latino population that is critical to the president's re-election efforts in swing states such as Colorado, Florida and Nevada.

Castro has big shoes to fill. Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston. That speech, on the "audacity of hope," propelled Obama to the U.S. Senate and the presidency.

Governor some day?

At the Charlotte Convention Center, Castro dismissed political ambitions that include a Cabinet-level position in an Obama administration or a federal elected office.

Castro said he would prefer to stay in Texas, leaving open speculation about a future gubernatorial run.

Republicans also gave Latinos high-profile exposure at their convention in Tampa, Fla., last month, featuring New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Ted Cruz, the Republican U.S. Senate nominee from Texas.

Castro said comparisons between his speech and those by other Latinos were inevitable, but he shrugged off any apparent nervousness from that alone.

"Aside from the personalities," he said, "it's the policies."

Castro said he would not delve into specifics of his speech but that it would touch on domestic issues such as immigration, the roots of his family and opportunities that have led to achievement.

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.